Zimbabwe began their three-match ODI series against Bangladesh on a disappointing note as the visitors dominated the opening innings in Harare on Monday. After winning the toss, Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz elected to field first, making full use of the overcast conditions and the moisture on the surface. The decision proved to be spot on as Bangladesh’s pace attack ripped through Zimbabwe’s batting lineup. Taskin Ahmed provided the early breakthroughs before Nahid Rana stole the spotlight with a remarkable spell, helping dismiss the hosts for just 141. Rana’s fiery pace and relentless accuracy left Zimbabwe struggling for answers, producing one of the finest bowling performances in Bangladesh’s ODI history.
Nahid Rana claims historic figures for Bangladesh
After Taskin had put Zimbabwe under pressure with the new ball, Nahid Rana took complete control of the innings with a devastating display of fast bowling. The young pacer finished with outstanding figures of 6/21 from his allotted 10 overs, including two maidens, registering the best bowling figures ever by a Bangladesh bowler in One-Day Internationals.
Rana’s spell combined raw pace with intelligent use of the conditions. Extracting extra bounce and movement off the surface, he consistently troubled Zimbabwe’s middle order. He struck for the first time by removing Sikandar Raza before dismissing Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande, Innocent Kaia and Brad Evans in quick succession. His ability to generate steep bounce forced uncomfortable shots, while his pace made stroke-making extremely difficult.
The six-wicket haul also marked Rana’s third five-wicket haul in ODI cricket this year, further underlining his rapid rise as one of Bangladesh’s most exciting fast bowlers. He eventually returned to clean up the tail, ending Zimbabwe’s resistance with a pinpoint yorker that dismissed captain Richard Ngarava.
Nahid enters elite list as Bangladesh fold Zimbabwe for 141
Zimbabwe’s innings never recovered after losing wickets in clusters. Openers Brian Bennett and Ben Curran had put together a promising 35-run stand, but Bangladesh quickly turned the game around. Curran was run out following a sharp direct hit from Mehidy Hasan, while Taskin removed Bennett soon after and then bowled Craig Ervine with a superb delivery that crashed into the stumps.
From a relatively stable position, Zimbabwe collapsed dramatically, losing eight wickets for just 35 runs as Bangladesh’s seamers exploited the helpful conditions brilliantly. Rana’s relentless spell dismantled the middle order, leaving the hosts reeling at 70/8 inside 20 overs.
Zimbabwe did manage to avoid a complete collapse thanks to a spirited ninth-wicket partnership between Newman Nyamhuri and captain Ngarava. The pair added 63 valuable runs, with Nyamhuri scoring 33 and Ngarava contributing 27, giving the home side a modest total to defend after threatening to be bowled out for under 100.
Fittingly, Rana returned to end the stand by producing a perfect yorker to dismiss Ngarava before Nyamhuri became the final wicket to fall, ensuring Bangladesh wrapped up the innings for 141.
Best bowling figures for Bangladesh in ODIs
- Nahid Rana – 6/21 in 10 overs with 2 maidens against Zimbabwe (2026)
- Mashrafe Mortaza – 6/26 in 10 overs against Kenya (2006)
- Rubel Hossain – 6/26 in 5.5 overs against New Zealand (2013)
